Description
An automatic weigh and identification nest-system (AWIN) has
been developed to study two closely related petrel species in
Antarctica. It has been used for a study on the breeding and
foraging ecology of the Antarctic petrel (Thalassoica
antarctica) and the Southern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) on
Ardery Island, Antarctica (66S, 110E). In three consecutive
seasons (1996-1999), 30 to 45 artificial nests (Figure 1) have
been operational each year in two study colonies on the
island. The nests in these colonies were connected with the
datalogger-computer in the field camp with cables up to 800 m
away.